Like Hungary’s passion for paprika, Spain also has a love affair with this shock-red spice. It’s deep-rooted in history and more, much more, than the smoked paprika that may first come to mind. Let’s take a deeper look at Spanish paprika – where it came from and what makes its many types tick – so you can use it confidently in the kitchen.
Matt Bray
Jalapeño Ketchup
Fresh jalapeños for a garden grassy bite…
Have a few extra jalapeño peppers around or just looking for a spicy alternative to everyday ketchup? Fuel your favorite condiment with a fresh, grassy bite. Jalapeño ketchup tastes great on grilled burgers and hot dogs (if you are one of “those” ketchup-on-hot-dog people. PS: We are too!) And make sure to leave a little to side as this makes one heck of a fry dipper.
If you prefer something smokier, check out our chipotle ketchup recipe. Or if you want something a little more exotic, give this delicious curry ketchup recipe a whirl.
Hungarian Paprika 101: The Spice Of A Nation
Few countries are as entwined with a spice as Hungary is with paprika. It’s officially the national spice of Hungary and there’s a real cultural pride for this fiery red powder. There are two paprika festivals and even two paprika museums. Plus, paprika is crucial to authentic Hungarian cuisine, from goulash to paprikash.
So how did we get here? How did a country far away from typical hot pepper haunts become known for this delicious chili pepper based spice? What does the region’s earth and climate bring to the flavor? And what differentiates the many types of Hungarian paprika (yes, there are many)? Let’s break it all down.
Jalapeño Lime Vinaigrette
A versatile spicy condiment…
The first time you make this jalapeño lime vinaigrette, it’ll probably be for a salad. But the minute you taste it, you’ll see there’s a lot more potential than greens for this yummy spicy dressing. It’s delicious as a marinade for fish (whether grilled or as a topper for fish tacos) and it’s a real flavor booster for grilled chicken (we especially like it as a alternative spicy dipping sauce for chicken satay).
If you want a step up in heat, you can try this recipe with serrano peppers instead of jalapeños. They have a similar bright, grassy flavor, but with a noticeable heat jump (but still within a medium-heat, eatable range).
Sriracha Ranch Dressing
Creamy smooth with Rooster sauce kick…
Spicy salad dressings turn your everyday greens into salads with serious attitude. Sriracha ranch dressing is a perfect mix of “smooth and fresh” meets tangy heat. Plus the garlic in the Sriracha sauce (with a pinch more of garlic powder) gives a boost of “bam!” to this dressing. Use it also as a fiery dipping sauce for fresh veggies and chicken wings.
Our version of Sriracha ranch dressing is a semi-short cut. It’s not as simple as taking a bottle of ranch and dashing in Sriracha, but not as complex as making ranch dressing from absolute scratch. We use some creamy ranch dip mix to provide the ranch flavor. Sriracha and cayenne pepper powder provide the spiciness. The cayenne is totally optional and only there as we spicy food fans always like a little extra heat.
Sweet And Spicy French Dressing
From greens to taco salad? Yes…
French dressing is sort of a salad dressing secret weapon. It’s of course a delicious greens topper for those that love sweet and tangy dressings. But French dressing (Catalina dressing too) also make a yummy sauce base for taco salads. Yes, it’s true – see a real delicious taco salad recipe right here featuring French dressing.
This spicy version of the salad dressing standard uses both mild paprika and fiery cayenne pepper. Want just a mild simmer? Remove the cayenne pepper completely. Or, of course, feel free to add more if you prefer things even spicier.
Mexican Chocolate Milk
Spicy and refreshing with a touch of smoke…
A refreshing glass of chilled Mexican chocolate milk is a terrific way to take the edge off the day. While you can use authentic Mexican chocolate (like Ibarra) to make a version of this delicious drink, this recipe leans instead into what you likely already have in your refrigerator and spice rack. Chocolate syrup and cinnamon imitate the flavor of what you’d find with authentic Mexican chocolate, and then we add some smoky spiciness through fiery chipotle powder.
If you prefer something hot instead, take a look at our Aztec hot chocolate recipe (also featuring chipotle powder) or our spicy hot chocolate recipe using cayenne powder.
Chipotle Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet fries with a touch of fiery smokiness…
For those that love sweet potato fries, it’s a ton of fun to pair them with fiery flavors. The sweetness here is one of those perfect foils for spicy spices And then there’s that smokiness of chipotle pepper. It’s so many flavors in one – sweet, smoky, and spicy together is a real mouth explosion – and yet they are really simple to make.
Chipotle sweet potato fries are a delicious match for burgers or steaks. If you prefer a sweet fry without the smokiness, take a look at our spicy sweet potato fries recipe that uses cayenne pepper and chili powder instead.
Spicy Tahini Sauce
Not just for hummus…
When you think tahini, “hummus” is likely the first thing that comes to mind. Well, that and…nothing. Many know nothing about this delicious paste. Hummus is where it’s found among commonly purchased foods, but tahini can be a heck of a lot more than that earthy, nutty, and slightly bitter flavor behind the chickpeas.
Take for instance this spicy tahini sauce recipe. It’s simple to create, but it provides an exotic touch to many common-day cooking needs. It’s delicious as a salad dressing (just add more water to thin the sauce to your preferred dressing thickness) or as a dip for vegetables and crusty bread. It’s perfect, too, as a sandwich spread for roasted vegetable sandwiches and more. Tahini also pairs well with lamb and other rich meats. It’s a big earthy, slightly bitter flavor that doesn’t get lost with these bold flavors.
Cayenne pepper provides the fire here. Use as directed and adjust according to your heat preference.
Spicy Baba Ganoush
Eggplant dip turned bold…
For most, spicy hummus would be the first Middle Eastern dip they’d reach for (and we have a few delicious recipes for that, like this smoky chipotle one) – but a spicy baba ganoush is so yum as well. This eggplant dip is perfect paired with hummus as a side to chopped fresh vegetables and pita chips, or use it as a sandwich spread (it’s perfect on a roasted vegetable sandwich).
Cayenne pepper is the simple heat source here, with mild paprika as a garnish for color. Of course, adjust the amount used of cayenne to increase or decrease the heat. Or you could opt for a hot paprika as a garnish to provide a heat boost along with the color pop.